Handcrafted holiday sale comes to Community Arts Center

NETHER PROVIDENCE— Community Arts Center and The Potters Guild will hold their annual Handcrafted Holiday Sale in the Duke Gallery, 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, from Friday, Nov. 30 until Saturday, Dec. 8. The unique, festive shopping event features one-of-a-kind, handcrafted pieces of fine craft and pottery from members of the Potters Guild and selected regional fine artists, a preview party with live entertainment by pianist Jeff Knoettner and Media Chamber Chorale plus light refreshments, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. The Holiday Sale and associated events are free but there’s $5 admission to the preview party 7-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, which gives guests exclusive access to the sale before it opens to the public. All holiday sale purchases support local artists and the on-site and outreach programming by the non-profit Arts Center. From Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7, customers can enjoy Holiday Happy Hours each day from 5 to7 p.m. with complimentary wine, beer and refreshments while they shop. Shoppers can meet some of the artists, get personal shopping assistance, find unique gifts for all of the special people on their holiday gift list and support CAC programs that enrich the lives of thousands of people each year.

With over 60 participating artists, 30 of which are Potters Guild members, the Holiday Sale offers hundreds of original creations you can’t find in regular retail stores including functional and decorative ceramic, clothing, mixed media wall art, fiber art, handbags, jewelry, papier-maché, flowers, wood, soap, baskets, metal and holiday décor, that have originality, vision and passion built into every piece. A list of the participating artists and a photo gallery for a preview of each artist’s work can be found at http://www.cacholidaysale.org/category/artists/.

The Holiday Sale is open daily at 10 a.m. and closing weekends at 5 p.m., weekdays at 8 p.m. There is no admission fee and free parking is available on the premises. For more information or for driving directions, contact the Arts Center at 610-566-1713, or visit www.cacholidaysale.org.

Fifth annual Santa Parade and fun run/walk comes to Media on Sunday

Media’s 5th Annual Santa’s Parade will kick off 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 along State Street to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus. Everyone is invited to celebrate the season with award-winning Mummers, including the famous Jason Kelce green Mummers costume worn by the Avalon String Band, festive floats, musical acts, live reindeer, the Philly Phanatic, Flyers mascot Gritty, and many more holiday surprises.

The parade is preceded by a 1 ½ mile Fun Run/Walk along the parade route. This family-friendly event kicks off at 4 p.m., with a Zumba-inspired race warm-up. Registration begins at 2:30p.m. during a celebratory block party on Veterans Square between State and Front Streets. Runners and walkers are encouraged to dress in their most creative holiday finest to be judged in a costume contest. Winners will ride in a special parade float for all to see.

The Block Party will feature live music by Jimmy Shoe & the Shine, balloon twisting, face painting, dancing, a roving photo booth to capture the day, hot chocolate, Philly pretzels, and other goodies, plus tons of free giveaways for everyone. The admission “fee” is a donation for the Media Food Bank or an unwrapped gift for Cityteam Chester.

Last year’s event drew 800 runners and walkers decked out in holiday regalia, plus thousands of spectators who lined State Street for the main event. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and brighter than ever before.

Free adult classes in GED, basic literacy and ESL

Adults interested in learning English or studying for the GED can register with the Delaware County Literacy Council at various locations. Free daytime and evening classes and one-on-one tutoring are available. For more information, visit www.delcoliteracy.org or call 610-876-4811. Upcoming in-person registration dates are as follows:

English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED registration will be held 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov, 28, at the Welcome Center, 7000 Walnut Street, Upper Darby.

Both English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED registration will be held in Chester 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.,Tuesday, Nov. 20, Tuesday, Nov. 27, and Thursday, Nov. 29, at Delaware County Literacy Council, 2217 Providence Avenue, Chester.

DCIU accepting applications for guest teachers

To continue addressing the teacher shortage crisis affecting local school districts, as well as those across the country, DCIU will continue its guest teacher service to help participating school districts in Delaware County with obtaining substitute teachers. The program is expanding and additional guest teachers are being accepted for the 2018-19 school year. New guest teacher trainings are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 3 and Friday, Jan. 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The deadline for applying is Friday, Dec. 7.

The Guest Teacher Program is designed to provide individuals who have a bachelor’s degree with the necessary training required to become day-to-day substitutes. Any individual with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is eligible to apply to the program. Upon completing the program, they will receive an emergency permit used by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), that enables them to substitute in any participating district and career and technical school on a day-to-day basis.

For more information and to register to participate, contact Nikki Borradaile, supervisor of professional learning, at 610-938-9000 ext. 2034 or nborradaile@dciu.org.

Become a friend of Fair Acres

The Friends of Fair Acres is a group of family members and friends of the residents at Fair Acres. The goal of this dedicated group is to enrich the lives of all residents through a variety of fundraising and volunteer activities. Anyone and everyone can become a member of this organization for $5 a year for an individual or $10 for a family. Every membership contribution benefits the residents. Members will receive newsletters that lists activities and other ways that members can support the residents of Fair Acres. To become a member, send $5 or $10 to Treasurer, Friends of Fair Acres, Fair Acres Geriatric Center, 340 N. Middletown Road, Lima, PA 19037.

Deck the halls with fresh, fragrant greens

The Delaware County Master Gardeners will offer handcrafted, fresh-cut evergreen wreaths and holiday floral creations 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 8 at Smedley Park, located on Baltimore Pike in Springfield.

Choose from an artful selection of moss wreaths with assorted evergreens and berries; hanging baskets of greens, beautiful mailbox decorations and bouquets of freshly-cut greens to use in your own floral designs and centerpieces. Also available for sale are table arrangements with and without candles, outdoor planters, plus lots of other unique holiday creations to celebrate the season. Shoppers can browse the array of crafts and gifts made by Master Gardeners.

For more information call 610-690-7669. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support Master Gardener educational programs throughout Delaware County.